Pace Considers Altering 2 Routes

July 27, 2000|By DeVon Nelson.

BUFFALO GROVE — Substandard performance on Routes 234 and 690 in the Buffalo Grove/Wheeling area has Pace mulling how to turn the tide.

The suburban bus transportation agency held its second public meeting at Arlington Heights Village Hall last week to solicit comments on possible changes in service. A meeting was held earlier this month concerning Route 234, which carries passengers from Des Plaines to Wheeling.

Doug Sullivan, government affairs analyst for Pace, said the agency has no plan to eliminate service on these feeder routes. However, he said, when routes fail to meet financial performance standards, Pace may alter the routes by cutting unproductive trips, for example.

Although Route 234 meets other Pace standards, it falls short at the farebox, recovering only 18 percent of operating expenses. The minimum requirement is 20 percent.

Performance is worse on Route 690, which falls short on all criteria established by the company to measure performance: riders per hour, daily ridership and the farebox recovery rate. Route 690, which runs from Buffalo Grove to Arlington Heights, is recovering only 12 percent of its operating revenue from the farebox.

Buffalo Grove officials last week passed a resolution urging Pace to maintain service on Routes 234 and 690, saying the routes provide transportation alternatives for residents and workers.

"We're going to make every effort to work with these municipalities," Sullivan said.

Metra's addition of a parking lot at the North Central line has hurt bus ridership, Sullivan said. More people are driving to the train station rather than relying on bus transportation, he said.

Pace officials will decide what changes need to be made to service on the lines based on the public comments, Sullivan said. Officials will monitor any changes for three months to determine whether adjustments are necessary.